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Level 1

22 points

Bizarre file arrangement in Finder

I have no idea what the **** is going on with Finder since the upgrade to Mavericks, but I do know that it has become royally frustrating!

I like my files to be arranged in a very simple format—separated by file type, then alphabatized within that file type and with folders appearing at the top. This should not be complicated and I've been able to do it just fine on past versions of OSX, but with Mavericks it's apparently become impossible.

I have tried Arrange By Kind and Sort By Name only later to have the alphabetical arrangement completely screwed up. So I tried Arrange By Name and Sort By Kind only to have it STILL get screwed up. I've tried Arrange By None and Sort By Kind or Sort By Name and still it doesn't freaking work.

No arrangement ever sticks. Sooner or later, Mavericks decides to forget the order of the **** alphabet and arranges the files in a completely bizarre way that makes no logical sense whatsoever.

Has anyone else experienced this problem and does anyone know how the **** to fix it, because I'm going nuts constantly having to rearrange my files since Mavericks is apparently too stupid to do it properly.

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Oct 30, 2013 2:35 AM

48 replies

24GHz

Level 1

145 points

May 26, 2014 9:04 AM in response to dklemans

Same here

DP812 Author

Level 1

22 points

Jun 20, 2014 3:06 PM in response to shahar h

It worked at first after the update. But now it's right back to the same problem. I'll open a folder and everything will be arranged like I like it—first by file type, then by file name. And then randomly, Finder will go, "just kidding!" and change the order.

I don't understand why it's so difficult for Apple to fix this problem.

Jun 20, 2014 11:14 PM in response to DP812

I am having the same problem -very frustrating! I never had these issues when using 10.6.8. Now running 10.9.3 on MBP Retina, and NONE of my folders in Documents (Finder) in "icon view" remain as I set them up. At some point they will all become jumbled in some random order, AND be stuck on top of each other like drunken sailors! The icons "lose" their previously set-up "grid" arrangement. Another variation that I have noticed is that the icon size will spontaneously change, and the folders (or items within folders) will then migrate closer to each other like they are trying to keep each other warm or something. Eventually, they migrate closer and closer and then overlap, and then, at some point, become a JUMBLED MESS!

I have mentioned this to 2nd tier Apple customer support, and they had no answers or solutions. They mentioned that they would pass it on to the engineers.This was in late January, early February 2014 - STILL no resolution of this VERY ANNOYING and time-wasting problem. I have tried every permutation of Arrange By/ Sort By, and no settings solve this issue. Apple, for cryin' out loud, please fix this issue! There are certainly many 1000's of users with this problem.

Jun 24, 2014 6:31 PM in response to Scott Thiessen

This fixed it for me! Thank you for taking the time to make a diagram too.

highcool

Level 1

15 points

Aug 22, 2014 2:50 PM in response to DP812

This isn't a permanent fix, but the fastest way that I've found to restore my default view (Arrange by Kind, Sort by Name) is just to use the Back & Forward keyboard shortcuts in succession. That is, Cmd-[ followed by Cmd-] This doesn't require any mouse clicks.

Sep 28, 2014 8:29 AM in response to DP812

I'm having this very same issue and it is very annoying. it seems like such a simple fix, at least Microsoft mastered file sorting. Apple are the masters of such advanced technologies that I think they forget the simple things.

Oct 17, 2014 5:22 PM in response to SharronDenice

I miss Steve Jobs.

Oct 17, 2014 5:25 PM in response to Ed Szymczak

Me too Ed :-(

shahar h

Level 1

4 points

Oct 22, 2014 11:13 AM in response to DP812

Finally fixed in Yosemite! 😁

JDfunky

Level 2

229 points

Dec 2, 2014 4:21 PM in response to shahar h

I'm still having another strange Finder issue where I can't seem to select and change a particular folder, not fixed in Yosemite, see this new thread if you think you can help, thanks ->

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6696007

Jun 12, 2015 3:37 AM in response to JDfunky

Did anyone find a solution to this please? Other than upgrading to the unsightly Yosemite with the god awful colours?

Veenst

Level 1

0 points

Jun 21, 2015 4:48 PM in response to DP812

I think I found a solution for what I was experiencing, try this:

If your sorting isn’t working the way you want it, here’s how to reset it:

View > Arrange By > None (^?0)
Hold Option, View > Sort By > Name (^??1)

It worked for me on the latest iOS.

Source: http://inner.geek.nz/archives/2011/08/10/howto-fix-file-sorting-in-finders-colum n-view-on-mac-os-x-lion/

Jun 29, 2015 4:07 AM in response to Veenst

o yes!! this helped thank you so much!!!

I just saved € 29 because of this answer!

Nov 12, 2015 8:09 AM in response to tommydamani

Have found a solution to my problem at least.

Option J - opens "show view options" window

As well as "arrange by" there's a "sort by" button which needs clicking to suit your needs.

In my case "none" and "none" for both means I ca organise my folders how I wish

Nov 25, 2015 7:03 PM in response to DP812

*** This Might Help someone *** Because it solved my rare issue.

If you arrange by Kind (or Application)

And then sort by (Name)

Some FOLDERS might still seem out of place. I discovered that the folders that were out of place had a one character blank space in front of their names and simply renaming the folders fixed the issue. Now all the folders sort in proper alphabetical order! Hope this helps someone solve their issue!

Bizarre file arrangement in Finder